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plastic coolant pipe failure....the cause?

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Madd_Maxx

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I bought a second focus a few weeks ago (01 se sedan) with the 2L zetec with 133K miles on the clock. Last night the plastic pipe that goes across the top of the radiator looks as if it split at the seam which was spewing coolant all over the place. After a call to AAA for a tow I got it home put some light on the situation and sure enough that is exactly where it's coming from....top seam of the plastic pipe right in the middle.

Since I need to go to the dealer to get this part anyway (when this part fails) is there anything else I should be looking for? Such as stuck thermostat or water pump starting to fail? As I said the car is new to me and was a one owner vehicle so I really don't have much history on it.

I've got the same setup of coolant hoses/pipes on the '02 zx3 that has 113K on it and haven't had any problems with it(knocking on the biggest piece of wood I can find). Is that a common part that fails like the thermostat housing and o-ring?

Thanks in advance for any advice,
Madd_Maxx

PS: Sorry for the double post....mods please delete the one that is in the wrong section.
 
#2 ·
I don't think that is a common failure, just a bit of bad luck on a new/used car. In addition to replacing my thermostat housing twice I have replaced several hoses due to failure or weakness.

Did you buy the car from the previous owner? Maybe they kept service records.
 
#3 ·
My plastic tube just cracked this past week. Got a replacement for $20 at the dealer Saturday. I would also be interested to see if other ppl have had issues with this part. I have a 2000 Focus ZX3 w/ 286k miles.
 
#4 ·
That is a very common issue with the Focus. If you go to your local auto parts store that handles the brand Dorman, they make an upgraded version of that tube.
 
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Discussion starter · #5 ·
Well ended up going to the dealership and getting me a replacement pipe for $18 and some change. Good news is that it's back together and there isn't any coolant leaks anyplace that I can find. Just the burn off residue from when the pipe cracked spraying anti-freeze all over the place (hopefully that will clear up pretty soon).

While I was there I decided to get some new sway bar links to see if that indeed would fix the clunking in the front end on the 01 sedan like it did with my 02 zx3. Sure enough when I got it apart the link on the drivers side had a loose end on it causing the clunk on every bump. They had been on there a while since they were pretty rusty. I even had to cut the one end of the link free with a cut off wheel cause the nut wouldn't turn. Another $46 later and all is well in the front end. Yep the stealership made a few bucks off me today for parts but I saved a crapload in labor by doing it myself.

Now for the next project.....timing belt. Not sure if previous owner has ever replaced it or not but I figure I might as well be safe than sorry later. Being broke down on the side of the road sux....especially when it's the car the little woman is driving.

Thanks All,
Madd_Maxx
 
#6 ·
I had the failure on my 00 Focus ZX3 at around 209k.
 
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#9 ·
By the way - The Dorman Heater Hose Outlet tube comes with the plastic clips. They look like a small black mushroom with a pin sticking out the top. With the clip in the bracket of the tube, seat the clip in the metal to where both the clip and the bracket are flush with the metal and press the pin in.
 
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